Red Jacket Showcases Innovative Reading Program to NYSED

The Manchester-Shortsville Central School District recently hosted New York State Education Department Board of Regents, Adrian Hale. Red Jacket was just one of three schools Mr. Hale visited as part of his tour of the Finger Lakes region. 

During his visit, Mr. Hale met with Superintendent Christopher Barnard to delve into the district's mission and the strategies in place to actualize that vision. A highlight of the visit was a presentation by Elementary School Principal Jeff McCarthy, who outlined Red Jacket's innovative reading program based on the Science of Reading theory.

Red Jacket started the brainstorming process for the reading program four years ago. It implemented a pilot program two years ago. Integral to the success of the initiative was the LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) training undergone by teachers. This professional development focused on understanding the intricate workings of the brain concerning reading, proving to be transformative for educators.

Mr. McCarthy emphasized that the impact of the reading program extends far beyond statistical achievements. He noted, "The reading program we’ve implemented is more than just the positive stats we’ve seen on paper. Our students really enjoy learning through this program and our teachers love teaching it. We’ve had teachers tell us they’ve benefited more from their LETRS training than their master’s degrees."

Eager to showcase the application of teachers’ professional learning, Mr. Hale embarked on a tour of Red Jacket Elementary School, immersing himself in classrooms where students were actively engaged in learning about phoneme-grapheme mapping–a fundamental aspect of the science behind how children learn to read. Superintendent Barnard expressed pride in the district's achievements with the program. "We have seen great success with the initial implementation of this program at the elementary level. We hope that our district can continue to be a model for the value that a balanced literacy approach can have on the success of our students."

The visit from Mr. Hale affirmed Red Jacket's commitment to evidence-based education. By prioritizing literacy and investing in teacher professional development, the district sets a standard for academic excellence and joyful learning. Red Jacket's innovative approach serves as a model for other schools seeking educational success.